Officer honored for pulling man from burning car

AURORA — An Illinois police officer has been honored for pulling a man from a burning car despite being off duty at the time.

Aurora Police Officer Matthew Bonnie received the Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor this week during a ceremony at the governor's mansion in Springfield. On Thursday, he received the Louis Spuhler Award, which is given to the Kane County Police Officer of the Year.

Last June, Bonnie came across a vehicle that had gone off the road into a ditch, rolled over and caught fire. Bonnie rescued the man by pulling him through a rear door.

Police Chief Greg Thomas says Bonnie didn't mention what happened to co-workers. They learned about it when the man who was rescued called the department to thank Bonnie for saving his life.